Most creators secretly believe that if they just upload more videos, the money will eventually show up. More ideas, more editing, more late nights… and then the revenue graph barely moves. It’s frustrating, and it makes a lot of good creators think they’re failing when the real issue is their YouTube monetization strategy, not their talent.
In this post, I’ll walk you through a 10-minute YouTube routine built from seven simple actions you can run daily (or batch weekly) to make more money on YouTube without uploading more. Instead of relying on ad revenue or creator funds you can’t control, you’ll learn how to turn the videos you already have into a system that supports real digital income you own.
We’ll talk about pinned comments that act like mini sales funnels, end screens that push people to your money videos, AI-powered thumbnail refreshes, digital products with order bumps, comment networking, “what I use” affiliate videos, and community posts that quietly sell for you. Along the way you’ll also see where AI tools (like thumbnail generators and summarizers) fit into a modern content creation workflow—similar to how creators use AI agents or Instagram automation to grow on other platforms.
If you’re trying to make money online with the audience you’re already getting, this is the boring, unsexy routine that actually works.
Why “More Videos” Won’t Automatically Make You More Money
Most YouTubers are told the same story:
“Post more often and your income will grow.”
The problem? If your videos aren’t strategically monetized, posting more just gives you… more unmonetized content. In the transcript for this video, the creator points out that more videos that don’t resonate with your audience only leave you more “upset and frustrated and angry.”
Here’s why “just upload more” fails as a way to make more money on YouTube:
- YouTube ads are inconsistent. Your RPM can change based on niche, season, or advertiser demand—even when your views go up.
- Creator funds and platform programs are outside your control. Things like the YouTube Partner Program or TikTok’s creativity funds can change overnight.
- No clear path from viewer → buyer. If you don’t have links, offers, and “next steps” baked into your content, viewers enjoy the video and leave.
Instead, the focus of this 10-minute routine is simple:
Use the same videos you already have…
But add small, repeatable actions that push people toward offers you control (digital products, affiliate links, services, memberships).
Think of it as YouTube automation for your business model: every video, old or new, quietly moves people toward something that can actually pay you.
10-Minute Habit #1: Turn Pinned Comments into Mini Sales Funnels
The first habit is ridiculously simple and ridiculously underused:
Every video should have a pinned comment that sends people to something you own or earn from.
Why pinned comments work so well:
- People are nosy—they scroll down to see who commented first.
- The pinned comment is locked to the top, so it’s the first thing they see.
- It feels natural to click a link there, especially if it clearly solves the problem in the video.
What to put in your pinned comment
Use a short, clear “if–then” call to action:
“If you want more predictable income from your channel, click here to join my free 14-day trial/workshop/webclass.”
Drive them to:
- A digital product (guide, workshop, template, mini-course)
- A free trial or lead magnet that grows your email list
- A high-converting affiliate offer
In the video, the creator even mentions going back through old uploads and adding pinned comments to every single one—50–60 videos at a time in about ten minutes a day. Imagine waking up a month from now with 300+ videos all pointing to something you control.
Don’t forget your description’s first line
The first ~120 characters of your description show before the “More” cut. That’s priceless real estate.
- Put your primary link there (digital product, membership, free class).
- Then use the rest of the 5,000-character description area for SEO, keywords, and context. YouTube will still analyze the whole description, so you’re not sacrificing search optimization.
Do this across your catalog and you’ll already be in a better position to make more money on YouTube without a single extra upload.
10-Minute Habit #2: End Screens & Cards That Push People to “Money Videos”
YouTube gives you built-in tools to keep viewers on your channel. Most creators either ignore them or treat them as an afterthought.
This habit is about optimizing end screens and cards so they send viewers toward:
- Your highest-converting videos (like product walkthroughs, “what I use” videos, or case studies)
- Videos that naturally lead into your digital product or affiliate offer
- A subscribe button for long-term growth
Smarter end screens
Instead of letting YouTube auto-pick, deliberately choose:
- 1 video that directly or indirectly sells something (digital product, affiliate gear, membership)
- 1 subscribe element
- Optionally, a playlist that warms people toward your offer
The key is to stop sending people to random videos. Every suggested video at the end should have a reason: warm them up, build trust, then show them an offer.
Using cards with average view duration (AVD)
Look at your analytics for average view duration:
- Where do people usually drop off?
- Add a card before that point that invites them to watch a related “money video.”
Example: If you have a video about growing a channel and a separate video that breaks down your paid YouTube starter kit or workflow:
- At the 50–60% mark in the first video, add a card:
“Watch how I actually set this up” → points to your monetized video.
This does two things:
- Keeps people on YouTube longer (which the algorithm loves).
- Moves them closer to content that can actually generate digital income for you.
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Want to skip the tech headaches and get a ready-to-use YouTube monetization routine you can apply to every video?
👉 Join the Platform-Proof Profits Membership and get my templates for pinned comments, end screens, digital products, and more—so you can start to make money online from the content you’re already creating.
10-Minute Habit #3: Refresh Titles & Thumbnails (with AI Help)
One of the easiest ways to unlock more revenue from your existing catalog is to revive “dead” videos by improving click-through rate (CTR).
In the video, the creator shares that simply updating a thumbnail often gets a video “thrown back in the algorithm.” Even a 1% increase in CTR—from 2% to 3–4%—can be the difference between a few thousand views and hundreds of thousands, which directly impacts how much you can make from your digital products and affiliate offers.
How to systematize thumbnail and title refreshes
- Pick 3–5 underperforming videos with good watch time but low CTR.
- Write 3 alternative titles for each that:
- Promise a concrete benefit
- Create curiosity without clickbait
- Use an AI-based thumbnail tool (like Nano Banana, mentioned in the transcript) to generate multiple thumbnail concepts quickly.
The workflow from the video:
- Drop the video title and description into ChatGPT and ask it to generate thumbnail prompts.
- Take 3–4 of the best prompts and feed them into Nano Banana along with a photo of yourself.
- Export the result, tweak vibrance/contrast in Photoshop or another editor, then upload.
This is essentially visual automation for your YouTube funnel. Just like AI agents or Instagram automation save time on other platforms, this approach lets you rapidly test new thumbnail/title combos without getting stuck in design hell.
10-Minute Habit #4: Create Simple Digital Products and an Order Bump
If you want to truly make more money on YouTube, you can’t rely only on views and ad revenue. You need something you can sell.
In the video, the creator argues that every niche has a digital product opportunity:
- Guides
- Workshops
- Templates
- Mini-courses
- Resource packs
The best part? You create it once and sell it forever. No shipping, no inventory, minimal “returns” issues.
The core offer + order bump formula
Here’s the structure he recommends:
- Main digital product – e.g.,
“Quick Start Guide: How to Get Your First 1,000 YouTube Subscribers” (low ticket, maybe $9). - Order bump on the checkout page – something that helps them implement faster or easier:
- Title frameworks
- Thumbnail templates
- Script outlines
- Checklist pack
If your main product is $9 and your order bump is $4–5, your average order value (AOV) can jump from $9 to ~$14 with the same number of buyers.
Now imagine this:
- Your pinned comments and descriptions point to your digital product.
- Your end screens and cards send people to videos that naturally pitch that product.
- Your refreshed thumbnails bring in more views on those videos.
This is how a boring 10-minute routine quietly stacks up into real digital income.
10-Minute Habit #5: Comment, Reply & Network Your Way to More Views
This is one of the most underrated ways to grow a channel and income—and it doesn’t require any new filming.
The creator suggests a simple rule:
Reply to every comment on your channel and leave helpful comments on 5–10 videos in your niche each day.
Why this works
- People who comment on your content feel seen when you reply. That builds trust and loyalty.
- Viewers scrolling comments on bigger channels see your value-packed reply, click your avatar, and discover your channel.
- Over time, bigger creators notice your consistent, thoughtful comments—which can lead to relationships, shoutouts, or even collaborations.
He specifically mentions:
- Subscribing to several big creators in your niche (e.g., YouTube growth experts like Nick Nimmin).
- Turning on notifications.
- Watching new uploads at 2–3x speed or running them through an AI summarizer like “Puppy AI” so you can leave an informed, helpful comment quickly.
You can even use tools like ChatGPT to help draft replies:
Paste a viewer’s comment → Ask “respond in my tone, helpfully and like a real human” → Edit lightly → Post.
This is a form of social automation that supports your YouTube and broader make money online ecosystem. You’re not spamming “nice video”; you’re adding real value and letting your content do the selling once people click through.
💡 Want my done-for-you scripts?
If you’d love copy‑and‑paste templates for pinned comments, value-based replies, and “what I use” video descriptions that lead to sales:
👉 Join the Platform-Proof Profits Membership and plug into my ready-made content creation and monetization systems so you can focus on showing up, not reinventing your funnel every time.
10-Minute Habit #6: “What I Use” Gear Videos for Affiliate Income
One of the simplest ways to monetize a YouTube audience is to show them what you use to get the results they want.
In the transcript, the creator gives examples like:
- “What I Use for My Woodworking Shop”
- “What I Use in My Automotive Setup”
- “Tools I Use for My $10K/Month YouTube Channel”
These videos perform well because:
- People want to model your setup.
- They already trust you, so they’re more likely to buy through your affiliate links.
- The content is evergreen—your gear doesn’t change every week.
A few rules for effective gear videos
- Feature 3–7 core tools, not 30. Too many items becomes overwhelming and kills watch time.
- Keep it focused on what truly makes a difference in your workflow: camera, mic, lighting, key software.
- Demonstrate how you use each tool, not just what it is.
In the video, he mentions using gear like a DJI Osmo camera, multiple mics (like a DWA 47 junior microphone), a Mac Studio, softboxes, and lights—but he doesn’t list every single object in the room. The goal is clarity, not an inventory dump.
Then, weave these gear videos back into your routine:
- Link them in your end screens and cards.
- Feature them in your community posts.
- Drop them in your pinned comments on related videos.
Suddenly, every new viewer has a clear path to support your channel and upgrade their own setup—win/win.
10-Minute Habit #7: Use YouTube Community Posts as a Quiet Sales Channel
Most creators either forget community posts exist or use them only for memes and updates. That’s a missed opportunity.
YouTube recently dropped the requirement for community posts to around 500 subscribers, which means you can start using this tab much earlier in your growth journey.
The creator’s simple framework:
- Post one community update per day.
- Make 4 posts per week purely helpful:
- Quick tip threads
- Polls
- Short breakdowns of a concept from your latest video
- Screenshots of wins or mini case studies
- Make 2–3 posts per week promotional:
- Highlight a digital product
- Invite people to your webclass or membership
- Feature a “what I use” gear video with affiliate links
Because the majority of your posts are helpful, the promotional ones don’t feel spammy or scammy. You’re using the extra real estate YouTube gives you to:
- Bring people back to your existing videos
- Direct them to offers
- Strengthen your brand as someone who actually helps
This is also a great place to mention parallel systems like Instagram automation or AI agents if they’re part of your ecosystem, so your audience sees you as the hub for smart ways to make money online without being chained to any single algorithm.
How This 10-Minute YouTube Routine Actually Makes Money
Let’s connect the dots so you can see the full funnel:
- Viewers find your video
Through search, recommended, social shares—whatever your main traffic source is. - Pinned comment & first description line
Immediately invite them to:- A digital product
- A membership
- A free webclass that leads to an offer
- End screens & cards
Push them to:- Gear/affiliate videos
- Deep-dive videos about the problem your product solves
- Digital product + order bump
- Main product: solves the core problem
- Order bump: done-for-you frameworks/templates that make it faster/easier
- AOV increases without needing more buyers
- Comment networking
- Grows your channel faster by tapping into other creators’ audiences
- Builds relationships that can lead to collaborations and more exposure
- Thumbnail & title refreshes
- Increase CTR → more views → more traffic into the entire system
- Community posts
- Keep bringing people back to key videos and offers
- Nurture your audience between uploads
That’s how a “boring” 10-minute YouTube monetization routine adds up to something like $10,000/month over time. You’re layering multiple small, repeatable actions that compound instead of gambling on one viral video.
Final Thoughts & Your Next Action
If you’ve been grinding out uploads and wondering why your income doesn’t match your effort, it’s not because you’re lazy or bad on camera. It’s because your channel isn’t wired to make more money on YouTube—yet.
Here’s your simple next move:
- Today, update the pinned comment and first description line on 5–10 of your best videos.
- Tomorrow, fix the end screens and cards on your top performers.
- This week, decide on one simple digital product and a small order bump you can create.
- From there, start stacking the other habits: refresh thumbnails, comment and network, create “what I use” gear videos, and post in your community tab.
You don’t need to be everywhere at once with AI agents, Instagram automation, and every shiny new tool. Start by turning your existing YouTube catalog into a system that drives predictable digital income—then use automation to amplify what’s already working.
And if you want help shortcutting the process…
💡 Want to skip the guesswork and get my ready-to-use system for monetizing the videos you already have?
👉 Join the Platform-Proof Profits Membership and get plug‑and‑play templates for pinned comments, community posts, digital products, and more—so you can finally turn your YouTube channel into a reliable online business.